The following State of Florida Grant and Scholarship Programs are available to students attending Palm Beach Community College. These programs are administered by the Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance. Applications and information about Florida Grants and Scholarships can be obtained from the Florida Department of Education.

•Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Scroll down for significant changes for Fall 2009)
•Florida Student Assistance Grant
•Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
•Rosewood Family Scholarship
•Scholarships for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
•Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant

General Eligibility Requirements for all Florida Financial Aid Programs

►Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as determined by the postsecondary institution you are attending
►Register for at least six hours per semester
►Do not owe a repayment under any state or federal grant or scholarship program
►Not in default on any federal Title IV program

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is a merit based scholarship program and is comprised of three levels of awards

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)
Florida Vocational Gold Seal Award (GSV)

Effective for Fall 2009:

Florida Academic Scholars recipients in AA, AS, or AAS programs will receive $78 per credit or clock-hour equivalent. Academic Scholars no longer receive funds for books/other expenses.

Florida Medallion Scholars in AA, AS or AAS programs will receive $78 per credit or clock-hour equivalent. Medallion Scholars in other programs will receive $59 per credit or clock-hour equivalent.

Florida Vocational Gold Seal recipients will receive $59 per credit or clock-hour equivalent.

BAS students award amount will be $65 per credit hour.

Students must complete a Florida Financial Aid Application during the last year in high school (after December 1 and prior to graduation).

Students must earn the required grade point average and hours based on the award received to renew their scholarship each year.

Course Withdrawals after the Add/Drop Period: Bright Futures recipients are REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE THE STATE for amount paid for course withdrawals. PBCC will send these refunds to the state, and the student will then owe PBCC.

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FALL 2010:

In essence, Bright Futures recipients will need to complete all credits for which they are paid during the 2009-10 academic year.

Florida Student Assistance Grant

The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) is available to degree seeking students who demonstrate substantial financial need. In addition to the general eligibility requirements each student must also meet the following program requirements.

Demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 15th

Not have previously received a bachelor’s degree

The FSAG award amount may vary between $200 and $1500 per academic year.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Program

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program was established by the United States Congress to provide scholarships to outstanding high school graduates who show promise of continued academic achievement.

Students must complete a Florida Financial Aid Application by April 15th.

The U.S. Department of Education will establish the maximum annual award amount. The award may not exceed the cost of attendance at the institution when combined with other financial aid.

Rosewood Family Scholarship

The Rosewood Family Scholarship was created to provide student financial assistance for a maximum of twenty-five eligible minority students who attend a state university, public community college or public postsecondary vocational-technical school.

Direct descendants of Rosewood families affected by the incidents of January 1923 will receive priority for awards. It is expected that all available scholarships will be committed to descendants of Rosewood families. Applicants who are direct descendants of Rosewood families must supply the descendant information on the Florida Financial Aid Application for verification.

Funds for the Rosewood Family Scholarship are contingent each year upon the appropriations made available to the Office of Student Financial Assistance by the Florida Legislature.

Scholarships for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans

Scholarships are available for dependent children of Florida veterans or servicemen who died as a result of service-connected injuries, diseases, or disabilities sustained while on active duty; or have been verified by the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs as having service-connected 100% total and permanent disabilities.

Students must complete a Florida Financial Aid Application by April 1st. and ensure that the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs certifies the applicant’s eligibility.

The annual amount of the scholarship is the cost of tuition and fees for two semesters or the equivalent.

Jose Marti Challenge Grant

The José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund is a need-based merit scholarship that provides financial assistance to eligible students of Hispanic origin. Applicants for undergraduate study must apply during their senior year of high school.

Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or before May 15th

The Florida Financial Aid Application must be completed during the student’s last year in high school

The award amount is $2,000 annually.